AliousJoão Palhinha’s late strike at Wolves finally ended Tottenham’s long wait for a Premier League win, securing their first victory since December and offering a lifeline in their battle against relegation.
Elsewhere, events at the London Stadium added to the tension. West Ham United snatched a late win over Everton, ensuring Spurs remained stuck in the bottom three despite briefly climbing out following Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser. A stoppage-time goal from Callum Wilson ultimately kept West Ham above the relegation zone.
With just four games remaining, Tottenham sit 18th—two points from safety—and are fighting to preserve their top-flight status, something they’ve maintained for nearly 50 years.
De Zerbi hopes for a mental shift
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi had stressed the importance of the Wolves clash before kickoff, and although the win doesn’t solve everything, he hopes it sparks a psychological turnaround.
Spurs started nervously at Molineux, showing little attacking intent in the first half as their poor run—eight defeats in 11 matches—clearly affected confidence. De Zerbi, however, believes this result could be a turning point, urging his players to focus on their own performances rather than external results.
This was his first win in three games since taking charge, following defeat to Sunderland and a draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Attention now turns to a difficult trip to Aston Villa, but the Italian remains confident survival is within reach, citing both the quality and character of his squad.
Kinsky’s redemption moment
Goalkeeper Antonín Kinský delivered a defining performance, completing a remarkable turnaround after his difficult outing against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League weeks earlier.
Recalled to the starting lineup after Guglielmo Vicario underwent hernia surgery, the 23-year-old has featured in all of De Zerbi’s matches. His finest moment came deep into stoppage time when he produced a stunning save to deny João Gomes from a free-kick, preserving the lead.
Kinský had already shown alertness earlier in the match, racing off his line to stop Adam Armstrong after hesitation from Kevin Danso. At full-time, he was mobbed by teammates, highlighting just how crucial his performance had been.
Palhinha was quick to acknowledge his goalkeeper’s heroics, crediting that final save as decisive in securing the three points. He also stressed the importance of mentality, urging the team to stay focused and positive during the run-in.
Injury worries dampen celebrations
Despite the victory, Tottenham’s joy was tempered by fresh injury concerns. Dominic Solanke limped off before halftime with a suspected hamstring issue, while Xavi Simons was stretchered off after suffering a knee injury.
Simons’ situation appears more serious and will require further assessment, while Solanke’s problem is believed to be less severe. With key players like Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus already unavailable, De Zerbi will be hoping to avoid further setbacks.
Momentum at last
Even without key players on the pitch, Tottenham held on, showing resilience that has often been missing this season. The celebrations at the final whistle reflected the magnitude of the moment—a narrow win, but one that could prove pivotal.
Former Wales international Ashley Williams noted that such decisive moments—like Kinský’s late save—are exactly what struggling teams need to survive. After months without a win, this result could provide the momentum Spurs need to fight until the very end.
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